‘Violence faced by women journalists has increased by 158 percent’

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

According to the cases documented by the Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ), since the beginning of 2021, at least 44 women journalists have been subjected to police violence in Turkey.

Three women journalists' had their houses raided and were detained for their journalistic activities. At least 13 women reporters were detained while following events in the field. Many of them were exposed to verbal harassment by the police at the same time as those cases.

In the latest incident, journalists following the commemoration for those killed in the Suruç Massacre were besieged by the police and faced severe physical violence that amounted to injury. The CFWIJ recorded at least eight women journalists physically assaulted by the police force.

The CFWIJ has also announced that the violence faced by women journalists has increased by 158.82 percent when compared to 2020.

CFWIJ has launched a campaign

The CFWIJ has launched a campaign in the face of mounting police violence. Titled "Turkey: CFWIJ demands action to end police brutality against journalists," the campaign statement reads as follows:

"We, the undersigned, demand an end to the systematic police violence that deliberately targets journalists in Turkey. In a country that claims to respect and protect democracy and the free press, journalists must be able to do their job without feeling threatened.

"The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) continues to follow the direct targeting of journalists and the disproportionate use of force against women journalists who follow events in the country.

"We consider the latest events quite alarming and we are deeply concerned about the physical assaults women journalists have suffered.

'Three journalists detained'

"Since the beginning of 2021, CFWIJ has recorded at least 44 women journalists subjected to police violence in Turkey.

"Three women journalists' had their houses raided and were detained for their journalistic activities.

"At least 13 female reporters were detained while following events in the field. Many of them were exposed to verbal harassment by the police at the same time as those cases.

"The latest incident, which took place on the first day of the sacrificial Eid on July 20, 2021, proved the escalating police brutality in the country. Journalists following the commemoration for those killed in the Suruç Massacre were not only besieged by the police, but also faced severe physical violence that amounted to injury. 

"CFWIJ took immediate action and recorded at least eight women journalists who were physically assaulted by the police force.

"CFWIJ invites everyone to join our campaign to raise awareness about this issue and to help us support women journalists.

"Join us in saying enough is enough to the police violence that is instigated by what we observe to be state oppression and extends into the justice system of the country. While we demand women journalists be free and safe, we would like to invite everyone to support women journalists and sign the petition to create social awareness with the hashtag #WeAreNotSafe."

Click here to sign the petition

(AÖ/SD)